Sawmill attachment.



PATENTBD SEPT. a, 1903.

n. 4W. B'ARTRAN. sAwMILL ATTACHMENT.

PPLIOATION FILED DBO. 30, 1901.

H0 MODEL.

Patented September 8, 1903,

PATENT OEEICE.

DAVID W. BARTRA, OF NEAME, LOUISIANA.

SAWMILL ATTACHMENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 738,396, dated September 8, 1903.

Application filed December 30, 1901. Serial No. 87,745. (No model.)

T o all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DAVID WV. BARTRAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Neame,parish of Vernon, State of Louisiana, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Sawmill Attachments, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which- Figure l is a vertical sectional view through a sawmill-carriage, showing one of the headblocks and knees, my improvement being applied in position upon said knee. 2 is a detail view of the teeth shown in Fig. l; Fig. 3 is an elevational view of a modified form of my invention; and Fig. l is a view with the near plate removed, showing said modified form in a different position.

This invention relates to a new and useful improvement in as'awmill attachment, being designed particularly as an improvement in sawmill-carriages, the object being to provide means on the knee or knees of a sawmill-carriage for preventingthe logs from being displaced when acted upon. by the turning device, commonly designated as the nigger. This nigger, when operated by steam, moves quickly, and if a small log is on thecarriage it is frequently `forced up over the knees. A

'heavy log having weight enough to overcome the lifting tendency of the steam-nigger can be rotated as desired. v

It is the prime object of my invention to provide means on the knee for arresting the upward movement of a small log being lifted by the nigger, and in arresting such a log it is prevented from being thrown over the knees and is caused to be turned as desired.

Another object of my invention is to provide means for automatically withdrawing this arresting device as the knee occupies its forward position when the saw is making its last cut.

Another object is to make these devices yielding, so that they will not interfere with the useful operation of the nigger upon a large log.

- \Vith these objects in view my invention Vcon si sts in the construction, arrangement, and

combination of the several parts of my device, all as will hereinafter be described and after- 4ward pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, l indicates a carriage of usual construction mounted upon trucks 2, which travel on tracks t is one of the head-blocks on the carriage, (there are usually two or more of said headblocks on each carriage.) Head-block 4E is grooved so as to receive and guide the knee 5 in its travel transversely the carriage, means (not shown) being provided for causing the travel of the knee transversely the carriage. The log (indicated at X) to be sawed is supported by the ends of the head-blocks, said log being forced outwardly by the travel of the knees for the purpose of being presented to the saw.

The knee 5 may be of usual construction and supports at its forward'vertical edge my improved device, which may betermed a kid nigger. This kid nigger consists of one or more teeth yieldingly held in an outward position and being vertically immovable, means cooperating therewith to retractY said teeth as the kneeapproachcs its extreme forward position, so as to draw the teeth from the path of the saw. These teeth, where two are employed, have independent means for holding them yieldingly in a forward position, and the lowermost tooth is independently retractable. A coupling is provided between the teeth, whereby when the uppermost tooth is retracted the lowertooth is likewise retracted. These teeth are mounted in a frame-plate G in suitable guideways, which are horizontally disposed, whereby said teeth may be moved lfreely in their guideways without binding.

The forward edges of the teeth are formed with downwardly-extending points, so as to better engage and hold a log against upward movement.

While my invention contemplates the use of one or more teeth to accomplish the arrest of a log in its upward movement, l have shown two of such teeth in one form of my invention, Figs. l and 2, and a single tooth in another form, Figs. 3 and 4:.

In Figs. l and 2, 7 indicates a tooth which, for purposes of distinction, we will call the upper t0oth,the rear end of said upper tooth being bent laterally or provided with a lateral projection 8. This projection 8 serves as a IOO ris

seat for a spring 9, whose energy is constantly directed to hold said tooth in a forward position. Said projection also serves to engage said tooth with an operating-lever 10, whereby the tooth is retracted against the energy of its spring when the knee is in a forward position, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. l, and said projection also serves to couple the two teethtogether and cause the lower tooth to be retracted whenever the upper tooth is retracted.

11 indicates the lower tooth, which is provided with an upward extension 12 at its rear end, lying in the path of the projection S of the upper tooth. This extension 12 also serves as aseat for a spring 13, whose energy is constantly directed in forcing the lower tooth forwardly. As shown in Fig. 1, the lower tooth is capable of independent movement, and in the event that the log X is of such a size as to cause said tooth to be moved rearwardly the upper tooth will still occupy its forward position to arrest the log should it move upwardly under the action of the nigger, whose upper end is indicated at 14.

15 indicates a projection on the head-block in the path of the lower end of the lever 10, whereby when the knee moves forwardly lever 10 is caught and, by its engagement with the upper tooth, retracts both of said teeth out of the path of the saw.

In Figs. 3 and 4 I have shown another form of my invention in which a single tooth is employed, said tooth being mounted in a frameplate 6a. The tooth here shown and indicated at 7a is provided with an elongated slot 7b, through which passes a pivot-pin, whereby said tooth has a variable pivotal point or axis of movement.

7c indicates a downward extension or tailpiece of the tooth, which when the tooth is rocked on its pivot is designed to be thrown forwardly in contact with the log, if the log is large enough, whereby the tooth is arrested in its upward movement, or if the log is small, as shown in Fig. 4L, said downward extension will pass under the log and permit the tooth to be arrested in its upward movement by coming in contact with the stop 16. Then the log is released by the nigger and descends, it will strike the tailpiece, enabling the tooth to swing forwardly and downwardly. A spring 9, secured to the rear edge of the tooth, exerts a constant energy to hold the tooth in its normal position.

8a indicates a lateral projection on the tooth, which passes through a slot in the lever lOf. The function of this lever is to engage a projection (indicated at 15) on the head-block to retract the tooth when the knee is in a forward position, the elongated pivotal opening 7b in the tooth permitting this, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 3. In both forms of my invention it will be observed that the teeth are vertically immovable. Their rounded upper edges at their forward ends act as camsurfaces, whereby they are moved backward in the event of pressure from above. The teeth yield in a backward direction and are held forward by yielding means until positively withdrawn by appropriate mechanism, when the knee approaches its forward limit of movement. When the teeth are in engagement with the log, the horizontal movement thereof in Fig. 1 will readily permit of their automatic retraction, and in the construction shown in Figs. 3 and 4 the automatic retraction of the tooth will be upwardly and backwardly, so that in neither instance will the presence of an obstruction in the form of a log und er the tooth interfere with their automatic operati on.

It will be observed that the device is simple, effective, and easily applied to existing forms of knees and the carriages require no special change or modification for the application of my improved kid nigger thereto.

Heretofore sawmill-knees have been provided with teeth of various kinds and supported in various ways; but these teeth are of such character that they take firmly into the log, their function being to securely clamp the log against the support and hold the log rigidly in position when it is presented to the saw. The present tooth is of an entirely different character and it is employed for a widely-different purpose, the said present tooth not clamping the log, but, on the other hand, permitting the movement of the same necessary for turning, and the said tooth acts merely as an abutment against which the log engages when moved by the nigger, this abutment preventing bodily vertical movement of the log and forcing the log to turn under the customary action of the nigger. I shall therefore term the present tooth an abutment-tooth,. it being my intention by this term to distinguish from the widely-different clamping-teeth heretofore employed.

I am aware that many minor changes in the construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts of my device can be made and substituted for those herein shown and described without in the least departing from the nature and principle of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination with a nigger, of a travcling knee of a sawmill-carriage, a verticallyimmovable, retractable abutment-tooth held yieldingly projecting therefrom on the side toward said nigger, and means for holding said tooth yieldingly in position for cooperating with said nigger; substantially as described.

2. The combination with a nigger, of a' knee of a sawmillcarriage, an abutmenttooth mounted thereon, means for preventing vertical movement of said tooth, and yielding means for holding said tooth in a forward position; substantially as described.

3. In a sawmill-carriage, the combination with a nigger, of a knee cooperating therewith, an abutment-tooth yieldingly held in an outward position and substantially immovable roo IIO

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vertically, and means for holding said tooth yieldingly in position for cooperating with said nigger; substantially as described.

4. In a sawmill-carriage, the combination with a nigger, of a knee of a sawmill-carriage, a removable plate secured thereto, and a retractable abutment-tooth with variable pivotal point mounted on said plate; substantially as described.

5. The combination with a knee of a saw millcarriage, a removable plate mounted thereon, a retractable abutm ent-tooth mounted upon said plate, a second tooth adapted to interlock therewith, and yielding means cai# ried by the plate for holding said teeth non inally in a forward position; substantially as described.

6. In a sawmill-carriage, the combination with a nigger, of a knee of a sawmill-carriage, a removable plate arranged thereon, a retractable,andvertically-immovableabutmenttooth carried by said plate, and a spring arranged on said plate adapted to engage an angular rearward extension of said tooth for holding the same in a forward position; substantially as described.

7. The combination with a knee of a saw mill-carriage, of a tooth carried thereby, and means for retracting said tooth as the knee approaches the limit of its forward movement; substantially as described.

S. The combination with a knee of a sawmillcarriage,of ayielding tooth carried thereby, and means for housing said tooth as the knee approaches the limit of its forward movement; substantially as described.

9. The combination with a knee of a sawmill-carriage, of a removable plate arranged thereon, a yielding tooth carried by said plate and designed to project in front of said knee, and means for positively retractin g said tooth as the knee approaches the limit of its forward movement; substantially as described.

10. The combination with a knee of a sawmill-carriage, of a head-block in which the same is slidably mounted, a tooth carried by said knee and projecting in front thereof, means for yieldingly holding said tooth in a forward position, and a projection on said head-block for retracting said tooth as the knee approaches the limit of its forward movement; substantially as described.

11. The combination with a knee of a sawmill-carriage, and a head-block in which the same is slidingly mounted, of a tooth carried by said knee and projecting in front thereof, a spring for holding said tooth in a forward position, a lever engaging said tooth, and a projection on the head-block for cooperating with said lever to move the toothrearwardly when the knee approaches the limit of its forwardmovement; substantially as described.

12. The combination with a nigger,of a knee of a sawmillcarriage, two retractable, and

vertically-immovable interlocking abutmentteeth mounted thereon, and a separate spring cooperating with each of said. teeth; substantially as described.

13. The combination with a knee oi' a sawmill-carriage, of two teeth mounted thereon one of which is independently movable, and means for causing them.. to move in unison when the other of said teeth is operated; substantially as described.

le. The combination with a nigger,of a knee of a sawmill-carriage, two substantially ver* tically immovable interlocking abutmentteeth arranged thereon, means for causing said teeth] to move outwardly in unison, and a lever for retractin g said teeth simultaneously; substantially as described.

15. The combination with aknee of a sawmill-carriage, of two teeth arranged thereon, one of which is independently movable, means for causing said teeth to move together when the other of said teeth is operated in the direction in which the said first mentioned tooth is independently movable, and

a lever 4for moving said teeth simultaneously; substantially as described.

16. The combination with a knee of a sawmill-carriage, of two teeth arranged thereon, independent springs for said teeth, means on one of said teeth to engage and operate the other, and an automatic device for operating the tooth provided with said means; substantially as described.

17. The combination with a knee of a sawmill-carriage, of two teeth mounted thereon, one of said teeth being provided with a lateral projection forming a spring-seat and an abutment7 the other of said teeth being formed with a vertical extension cooperating with a part upon said rst-mentioned tooth whereby movement of one tooth causes movement of the other thereof, said vertical eX- tension also forming a spring-seat, springs for cooperating with the spring-seats of said teeth, and a lever engaging the abutment of said iirst-mentioned tooth; substantially as described.

1S. The combination with a knee of a sawmill-carriage, of a substantially vertically movable nigger, and a substantially vertically immovable abutment upon the vertical member of said knee against which abutment the log is forced by the upward action of said nigger and by means of which the log is forced to turn under the said action of the nigger; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature, in the presence of two witnesses, this 23d day of December, 1901.

DAVID IV'. BARTRAN.

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